Resident Computer Station Use Policy

by North Adams Housing Authority

Last Modified: July 25th, 2023 - subject to change

The North Adams Housing Authority currently provides a number of networked computers for use by residents for Internet browsing and other productivity activities. There are certain policies and guidelines related to their use.

NOTE: The North Adams Housing Authority also provides Wireless (wi-fi) Internet Access to its residents in certain common areas.

 

The Internet is an unregulated global information resource. The North Adams Housing Authority cannot guarantee the accuracy and/or authenticity of information discovered through this resource. Patrons who find information or subject matter that is erroneous, out-of-date, illegal, offensive, and/or controversial should contact the original producer or distributor of that work directly.

WiFi passwords are available to residents only by contacting the main office during normal business hours.

Users of the Internet should be aware of the following:

  • Only parents and legal guardians have the right -- and the responsibility -- to monitor and control their own minor children's access to the Internet and to information obtained from the Internet.
  • The North Adams Housing Authority cannot guarantee confidentiality over the Internet. Patrons entering personal information (credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.) do so at their own risk.
  • The North Adams Housing Authority complies with the United States Copyright Law, and all other federal, state and local laws relating to the use of the Internet and other electronic media.
  • The North Adams Housing Authority is not responsible for work or information lost due to computer or system malfunction.

 

Rules and Guidelines for Public Computer Station Use

  • Stations are available on a walk-in basis. Time limit on these stations is 30 minutes if another person is waiting.
  • No more than 2 people may use a computer station at once, except for adults with small children.
  • Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
  • Patrons are expected to be knowledgeable in basic computer operations. NAHA staff do not offer individualized instruction.

 

Acceptable Use

  • Computers are intended for personal use and not for conducting business or illegal activities of any sort.
  • NAHA reserves the right to designate specific uses for individual computers. When there is high demand for using computers, staff may instruct users to discontinue use to allow others the ability to utilize the resources.
  • NAHA reserves the right to restrict any person from utilizing these services for any reason it deems necessary.
  • In addition, our use policy lays out the activities for which our devices should and should not be used. The following examples are intended to clarify the interpretation of unacceptable use of computers.


Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to:

  • Viewing material from the Internet that a reasonable person would consider objectionable such as sexually explicit or violently explicit pictures, movies and/or videos.
  • Any use that violates copyrights, patent protections or license agreements.
  • Attempts to gain unauthorized access to information systems or violate the privacy of others. Prohibited activities include running programs that attempt to calculate or guess passwords, or that are designed to trick other users into disclosing their passwords, or intercepting or monitoring network communications that are not intended for you.
  • Viewing material that violates federal, state or local laws or regulations, including those regarding accessing, viewing, printing and distributing child pornography.
  • Tampering with computers, including attempting to install unauthorized software, disconnecting computers or connecting private computers to the network lines.